PREPARING FOR RETREAT
Intake Form
If you have not filled out the INTAKE FORM please do so ASAP. Thank you!
Travel Contacts
Rooming or general retreat questions: Julianne@kevinjcourtney.com
Retreat producer & arrival day contact: Nico@kevinjcourtney.com | 505.463.7685
Menla Front Desk (for emergencies): 845.688.6897
PREPARING the BODY and MIND
This week:
Become more conscious and aware of your breath. Feel and sense the sensations in the body as you breathe. If you find your mind is scattered, slow your breathing and feel into your rib cage and chest for a few rounds. Notice the shift.
Become more conscious and aware of your relationship with your devices. Institute some moments of digital reprieve. Set a timer for an hour. Put your phone down out of sight. Take note of how often you automatically reach for it. Sensitize your awareness to how you feel as you heighten this awareness.
Finally, begin to increase your water intake. Most of us don’t drink enough water on a daily basis. Being well hydrated helps mitigate the stress associated with travel and crossing time zones and will also make for more easeful integration of the work we will do on retreat.
AN OVERVIEW OF THE SESSIONS
Morning Meditation and Pranayama with Kevin Courtney
These morning sessions are 30 minutes in length. Each practice builds in sequence over the course of the week. The practices will be accessible and do not require any previous experience. Dress comfortably; maybe bring a shawl or scarf, and you may want to bring a journal to capture any insights that come up in the meditation.
The Eightfold Path with Kevin Courtney
These sessions include short philosophy talks, tantric hatha yoga, restorative yoga, pranayama, meditation, qi gong, and yoga nidra. The movements in tantric hatha yoga are accessible yet profound. They utilize specific breathing techniques and focus on the mind. Props are provided, and some practices will be heat-inducing and more active, while some are cooling and restorative.
INSIGHT with Kevin Courtney
These sessions open with a short talk leading into a meditative, contemplative exercise, self-reflection, and journaling. We then move into triads (groups of three) to discuss and reflect on what insights arise in your reflections. You will be with the same group of three throughout the week. Please plan to attend each session and bring a journal. Backjacks and props provided.
The 360 with Kate Shela + Erin Rose Ward
The 360 is a movement practice that uses curated music and guided embodiment to allow you to enter into the experience of your body, mind, heart, and spirit in an organic and free-form way. The entire floor is an open canvas for creativity, connection, and exploration. Wear comfortable clothes you feel good moving in (and maybe sweating in). You will have three sessions over the course of the week.
* a special note: The final evening 360 session with Kate Shela will be more ceremonial and sacred. The invitation is to wear something that reflects that sacredness. You may have a favorite dress you like to move in or an outfit that feels special to you. Make it your own; whatever you choose will be just right because you chose it.
The Moth | Hosted by Natalie Kuhn
On Tuesday evening, Natalie will host an optional evening session in The Barn that explores the power and art of storytelling, community, and connection. Come with a story, or just come to listen. The theme for this year’s Moth is: Awe.
Dharma Talk + Mindful Movement with Natalie Kuhn
This morning session will include a Dharma Talk with Natalie Kuhn and move into a movement session that features music, mindfulness, and inspiration as its anchor. Wear clothes that you can sweat in, and rest assured that the entire experience can be done using modifications and will be curated to be open to all levels and total newbies.
Sacred Sound Bowls with Kacey Rodenbush
A healing sonic landscape of crystal singing bowls featuring Tibetan singing bowls, Rav Vast tongue drum, and crystal pyramid in service of down-regulating the nervous system, grounding the body, and uplifting the spirit. Kacey will be playing the bowls starting at 9:15 each morning practice throughout the week. You can plan to arrive at the room and steep in the sound for 15 minutes before we start moving at 9:30 am. Kacey will also play the bowls during one of the afternoon yoga nidra sessions.
A SPACE FOR DEVOTION
We invite you to bring a talisman or any devotional object you feel connected with to contribute to the community altar. It can be a piece of jewelry, a crystal, a mala, a picture or letter, or anything else you would like to use to ground and amplify your intentions for the week. They will live on the altar throughout the week, and then you’ll take them home all charged up with the good energy of the retreat.
DHARANA ARRIVAL + HEALING SESSIONS
Arrival Day | Sunday March 10, 2024
Daylight Savings happens on Sunday 3/10. Please remember to set your clocks forward an hour!
A reminder check-in opens at 3 pm at Menla Retreat Center in Phoenicia, New York
Optional decompression and arrival practice at 4:30 pm, led by Kevin
Dinner will be served from 6 - 7 pm
Sacred Space
DHARANA is a completely technology-free retreat - no cellphones, laptops, tablets, etc.
Please be aware once arriving into the town of Phoenicia that there is no cell phone service in the surrounding areas or at Menla
A designated space will be provided to accommodate necessary phone calls (i.e., parents connecting with children and other needs)
Closer to the retreat, we’ll share a phone number at Menla where you may be reached in case of emergency
Menla requests no alcohol or smoking on campus
Menla has a 10 pm curfew. All participants are asked to be in their rooms by 10 pm and enter into silence until after our morning practice
There are no open flames permitted on campus (with the exception of altar candles). Please do not light candles, burn incense, sage, or palo santo on site
What to pack + bring with you
A travel alarm clock (we will be tech-free, so please don’t plan on using your phone as an alarm, a watch is also nice for seeing the time without having to use your device during the day)
Refillable sealed water bottle
Travel mug with lid for warm drinks (tea is served 24/7 and is a beautiful accompaniment to lectures and around campus)
Comfortable, warm practice clothing, think layers (indoor and outdoor). Phoenicia temperatures in March with highs between 35-47 degrees and lows in the teens into 20’s. There may be snow; please be prepared (in our experience last year, weather changes quickly. We started in snow and ended the week jumping in the lake under the sun!)
Cozy slippers for indoor wear (no street shoes allowed indoors)
Hiking shoes or boots
A warm winter jacket
A full supply of necessary medications + supplements
All necessary toiletries needed
Cash for: tips to Menla staff at the end of your stay
Credit card for incidentals: Menla asks all guests to provide a credit card at check-in for any purchases made on the property. Cards are not charged unless guests purchase gift shop items, spa services, snacks, or anything else beyond room and board provided
And, if you prefer, cash for any Healing Treatments
If you are taking the shuttle from town, please bring $5 cash to give to Nico
Optional: immune-boosting and internal cleansing supplements and herbs
Yoga Mats by B Halfmoon
We have joyfully partnered with B, Halfmoon again this year!
We will provide you with a custom Eightfold Path x B MAT Everyday to practice all week. These high-performance, ultra-grippy, extra-cushioned mats are durable and lightweight.
During the week, the mats will live in the practice space, and you will sanitize them after each use. At the close of the retreat, you will take one home with you and continue to feel the love post-retreat.
Check out our friends @bhalfmoon_official on Instagram and their website to learn more here.
A Time for Restoration
While there will be some moments of generating heat in practice, the overall outcome we are seeking to create this year is one of deep relaxation, illuminated presence, and a visceral sense of aliveness.
You'll have free time in the afternoons to decompress and explore the beautiful landscape of Menla, be it hiking the surrounding trails, relaxing in the newly restored barn, journaling, or settling into a quiet nook with a book.
Below are a few additional ways to enhance that relaxation during our week together. We are thrilled to be almost underway and hope the goodness listed below supports your week well.
Healing Treatments By The Eightfold Path Community
A Custom Scent by Erin Yee
Erin Yee creates custom scents that match each person's unique energy. The scent is harmonizing and balancing and a conduit for new pathways of experience.
The process begins with a one-hour consultation whereby you and Erin address any blocks in your life, establish your intention, and discuss olfactory preferences. After the consultation, the scent-making process takes approximately 4-5 weeks, whereby that information is synthesized into a custom bespoke oil.
Each scent is a personal expression of beauty that can be used as a tool or sensory talisman in practice or ritual.
Visit Erin's website for detailed information on her sessions.
Email Erin to pre-book your session before the retreat: erinyeeacupuncture@gmail.com
Personalized Sound Healing Sessions or Consultation Sessions
by Kacey Rodenbush
Sound Healing Sessions:
Using a variety of sound healing instruments, Kacey provides a meditative experience that envelops the body, mind, heart, soul, and spirit in intentional soothing sound vibrations and offers an opportunity for the nervous system to settle and reset.
Consultation Sessions:
Explore your interest and heart-soul connection with sacred sound instruments so that you can fully embrace your musical genius within. Learn how to develop a consistent practice that deepens your relationship with your innate healing potential and sparks your passion for self-expression.
More information about sessions is provided on Kacey’s website.
Please email Kacey to pre-book your session before the retreat: goldenhourholistichealing@gmail.com
Dewa Spa
Menla has a beautiful spa on the property, the Dewa Spa. They offer everything from acupuncture to therapeutic bodywork to energy healing.
Visit their website to view their entire menu.
Dewa Spa has limited availability, so please book as soon as possible if you are interested in treatments to ensure they can accommodate you. All payments and gratuities go directly through the spa for any additional services.
*Please Note*
Lunch is 12:30 - 1:30 pm every day. You may book during this time if you choose, but no special meal accommodations will be made.
The afternoon programming starts promptly at 3 or 4:00 pm, depending on the day. Please make your treatment plans accordingly and plan to arrive on time to practice.
Best times to book at the Dewa Spa:
Monday 12:30 - 4:00 pm
Tuesday 12:30 - 3:00 pm
Wednesday 12:30 - 4:00 pm
Thursday 12:30 - 3:00 pm
Friday 12:30 - 6:00 pm (Most flexible day)
Saturday 12:30-3:00 pm
DHARANA FAQs
+ What airport should I fly into?
In general, most people fly into New York City. From there, Menla is a 2-hour drive from any of the NYC airports.
Menla is also conveniently 2 hours from Albany International and 90 minutes from Stewart Airport in Newburgh, NY.
+ How do I get to Menla in Phoenicia, NY?
Menla is conveniently located:
2 hours north of the GW Bridge in New York City by car
3 hours by bus from New York City on Adirondack Trailways to Phoenicia, NY
3.5 hours from Boston by car
2 hours from Albany International Airport by car
90 minutes from Stewart Airport in Newburgh, NY, by car
You will need to arrange your own ground transportation to and from Menla. New York City flights tend to be less expensive and involve fewer connections
By bus from NYC, Albany:
Transportation is readily available from New York City at Port Authority, 625 8th Avenue, where you would board Trailways Bus to Phoenicia.
The approximate cost of the Trailways bus is $40 and takes 3 hours. Before boarding the bus, you must book this travel with Trailways; (you can do that here).
Trailways bus will drop you off in the small quaint town of Phoenicia. A shuttle from town to the retreat center can be arranged for $5 cash. (Please email Nico at nico@kevinjcourtney.com to book a shuttle from town to the retreat center.)
You can also take the Trailways Bus from Albany to Phoenicia, then arrange a shuttle from town to the retreat center with Nico for $5 cash. (Note: this option is approximately 2 hours longer than NYC, with a layover and bus change on Trailways. Menla recommends traveling through NYC airports.)
By car from Stewart Airport
Ground transportation from Stewart Airport is accessible through either private car service or a rental car (there are no public transportation options available).
+ What are arrival and departure times?
Arrival Day is Sunday, March 10, 2024.
Check-in opens at 3 pm at Menla Retreat Center in Phoenicia, New York
Optional decompression and arrival practice at 4:30 pm, led by Kevin Courtney
Dinner will be served from 6 - 7 pm
Departure Day is Sunday, March 17, 2024.
Breakfast at 8:30 am
Check-out by 11 am
Guests must vacate rooms and property by 11 am
+ What is the retreat schedule?
You will receive a welcome email with more details, though in general, you can expect 4-6 hours per day of practice, including asana, meditation, contemplative practices, and philosophical discourse, as well as additional movement and creative explorations with guest teachers. There will be downtime daily for rest, walks in nature, etc. Any additional activities will reflect the introspective and contemplative nature of this retreat.
+ What if I have special dietary needs?
Menla's kitchen is rooted in Vegan cuisine and the week will provide three meals per day in the style of a vegetarian farm-to-table menu. If eggs and dairy are used they will be clearly listed.
Please share any food allergies or special dietary needs through our intake form no later than February 1, 2024.
+ What are the options for extending my stay in Phoenicia if I want to arrive early or stay late?
Phoenicia is a very small community, but there are a few guest houses and Airbnb options in the surrounding areas. Consider breaking your trip up by staying overnight in New York City, or a neighboring town in the Hudson Valley.
REGISTRATION
+ Who can attend DHARANA? Do I need to have attended previous years in the series to attend DHARANA?
DHARANA is open to all students and practitioners who have been practicing yoga for at least one year and who desire an immersive exploration of the self through yoga, meditation, self-reflection, embodied movement, and community. You do not need to have attended previous years in The Eightfold Path series to attend; in fact, we welcome first-timers!
+ What are the expected costs for DHARANA?
Depending on your selected accommodations, the pricing structure to attend DHARANA is $2,595 for a Shared Quad room to $5,095 for a Deluxe King Suite. Menla’s diverse housing provides shared houses and cabins to hotel-style rooms. All meals | Breakfast, lunch + dinner from arrival to departure are included along with all scheduled practices and activities. Additional Spa Treatments and any additional healing sessions are paid directly to the practitioner.
+ What if my room choice is already sold out?
Please contact Julianne@kevinjcourtney.com if you want to join us, but your room choice is already sold out. There may be more room options that we can release to suit your needs.
+ Are there any Work-Study positions available?
Update: These positions are full for DHARANA, please email nico@kevinjcourtney.com with questions.
The Eightfold Path is built on the notion of community support. The work-study positions are open to those who feel compelled to assist in the room setup and various other tasks and who also have the capacity to hold the space of support for the group field. There are a limited number of work-study team positions for reduced tuition for those who need financial aid.
ABOUT MENLA
Affectionately known as “Tibet in the Catskills,” Menla is set in a secluded valley beside an enchanting stream in the heart of the Catskill mountains. Just 2-hours from New York City, the magic of 325 private acres of pristine mountain forests provides the perfect backdrop for us to delve into the teachings, quiet the mind, concentrate the breath, and expand. Discover more about Menla on their website.
+ What practice props are provided?
Yoga mats, blocks, straps, blankets, bolsters, meditation cushions and zabutons, as well at back jacks are all available in the practice center.
+ What if I need extra towels in my room during my stay?
You may request and pick up additional towels at the front desk.
+ What amenities are provided in the bathrooms?
It is recommended you bring any amenities, toiletries you prefer or anticipate needing during the retreat. Bathrooms are equipped with all-natural soap and towels.
+ Can I book a spa appointment?
You will receive another email from us one month out to arrival day inclusive of options to book additional healing treatments during the retreat.
LOGISTICS
+ What is the cancellation policy?
Once your registration is confirmed, your $500 deposit is non-refundable and non-transferable. The final payment is due on Thursday, January 11, 2024. Cancellation on or before Thursday, January 11, 2024, will receive a partial refund minus the $500 deposit.
After Thursday, January 11, 2024, cancellations will mean forfeiture of all money rendered.
This cancellation policy is firm. We recommend you purchase travel insurance to protect your investment. Please do not make any travel plans until you receive confirmation of your registration.
+ If you have any other questions, please contact Julianne at julianne@kevinjcourtney.com